Taira no Masakado

Taira no Masakado was a descendant of Emperor Kanmu, who was demoted from princely to commoner status and granted the Taira surname. He was one of the sons of Taira no Yoshimasa, a provincial governor and commander-in-chief of the defense of the north. Masakado grew up in the Kanto region, where he became a powerful landowner and leader of a self-governing party. He was involved in several conflicts with his relatives and other local magnates over land and authority. In 939, he rebelled against the central government in Kyoto, claiming to be the New Emperor (Shinno) and appointing governors for the eight northern provinces of Japan. He also established his own court in the Kanto region, where he issued edicts and performed rituals. He was seen as a threat by the imperial court, which issued a decree to suppress his rebellion. Masakado was killed in battle by Fujiwara no Hidesato and Taira no Sadamori, two loyalist generals, on March 25, 940. His head was severed and brought to Kyoto, where it was displayed as a warning to other rebels. However, legend has it that his head flew back to the Kanto region, where it was buried and revered as a guardian spirit. Masakado's rebellion was the first recorded uprising against the central government in Japanese history, and it marked the beginning of the decline of the imperial authority and the rise of the provincial warlords. Masakado is regarded as the first samurai and a symbol of resistance against tyranny. He is also revered as a Shinto deity and a folk hero in Japan.